Renault Duster 4x4 India launch in October

It’s official. Renault will launch the Duster 4x4 in India before the end of the year. And it could be as soon as October. The Renault Duster 4x4 or 4WD will be powered by the top of the line 110PS diesel engine and will come mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. An automatic will not see light of day just yet, but the modalities for the same are being worked out.

The 4WD or four wheel drive system for the Duster is similar to the ones Nissan has employed on its SUVs in the past. In fact, it uses the same type of rotary dial for drive mode selection which we have already seen on the likes of the X-Trail. The driver can choose between three driving modes via the rotary dial – 2WD, which only powers the front wheel and in turn helps return good fuel efficiency; there’s the Auto mode which supplies the required torque to the wheels with maximum grip on slippery surfaces; and then there’s Lock, which is essentially the old school four wheel drive mode that supplies equally torque to all four wheels at all times – helpful in properly slushy or rocky terrain.

According to Renault there’s a pent-up demand for the Duster 4x4, and though it might not outsell the two wheel drive version (considering the latter is both cheaper to buy and run), the number of potential buyers are significant enough to make a foray into this category. A reflection of this is the recent success of the Duster Adventure model which is completely sold out but the requests for it never stop pouring in.

Renault understands that the 4WD version must stand-out. So, unlike the Duster 4WD which it exports to markets like the UK, the India-spec Duster 4x4 will come with more than just a 4WD sticker on the tailgate to tell it apart. So, expect body cladding, a more aggressive and rugged looking front and differently upholstered interiors as well. There’s no facelift on the cards, however.